(That's Shanghai)
Updated: 2007-03-08 09:23

With NFL on the TV, background music that alternates between funk and hip hop, and a schizophrenic decor that is neither contemporary nor Zen, our poetic sense was on alert not long after we entered Haiku.

Thankfully, it was quickly restored with the arrival of our well-presented sashimi platter (RMB 158) which was as tasty as it looked. Expectations were high, then, for the battered shrimp tempura (RMB 14 each), the medium-rare steak misoyaki (RMB 62) served with a sweet tangy miso, and the grilled cod gintara saikyo Yaki (RMB68)-all of which continued to impress. Though near sated, we had to try the restaurant's claim to fame: the 119 roll (RMB 55), a tuna maki with secret spicy sauce. The secret is safe as we wiped our plate clean.

In sum, Haiku is worth visiting for the food and service alone. But in this price range, one might expect a more cohesive ambience and proper napkins.

Haiku
Open: Daily 11:00am-2pm, 5:00pm to 10:30pm.
Location: 28B Taojiang Lu, by Hengshan Lu
Tel: 021-64450021
Cost for two (excluding drinks): RMB 399. All cards.